It is not always easy to know how to make your garden more sustainable but with some creative thinking, it is probably easier than you think. Here are some fantastic tips to make your outside space more environmentally responsible:Avoid chemicals - Avoid chemical pesticides, as these can be harmful for your local ecology. They reduce diversity and ecosystems. Instead of chemicals, use biological pesticides that won’t affect plants and insects that aren’t your intended target. Sure, you may want bugs to stop eating your vegetables, but don’t risk damaging everything else in the garden. Here are some tips to tackle pests naturally.Collect rainwater – If you live in a particularly dry area, you may suffer from droughts. We all need to be water conscious and be aware of how much we are taking from the public supply. Installing a barrel into your garden is a great way to collect rainwater that you can use to water your lawn and plants.Ditch the lawnmower – If you use a gas-powered lawnmower you are emitting carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. A way to avoid this is to use a manual mower, which is admittedly more difficult, and time consuming, but it is great exercise. Another option is to let your lawn grow wild - consider cultivating a meadow, which requires little maintenance and is beautifully natural. Click here for some tips on creating a wildflower meadow.Think about your lighting – Think about how your garden lighting is powered. Many of us want our outside spaces illuminated at night so we can enjoy an evening in the open-air. However, it is important to consider the carbon usage of standard lighting. Use solar-powered lighting instead.Use lime mortar – If you are building or constructing anything in your garden, think about the cement you use. Traditional cement is not easily recyclable but lime mortar, on the other hand, is. This means that future generations will benefit from being able to recycle materials instead of it ending up in landfill.Use compost – Compost is a life-giver to any garden. Establish a compost heap or bin in your garden to store your organic household waste. It will decompose in the bin and in the process release a myriad of nutrients that plants and flowers love. Once it is fully decomposed, use it on your soil near your plants. It will help everything in your garden grow, and in a purely natural way. It is the best source for feeding your garden.

Open concept floor plans can be a great way to realign your lifestyle. There are numerous benefits to living open-plan including maximization of available space, improved ambiance and more light. Maximization of space: Because the space is not divided by walls there is more physical space. There is more room for you to live in than with a conventional floor plan. It allows different living areas to flow into each other, creating a positive and liberating environment. After all, most people don’t like to feel enclosed. No space is wasted: With segmentation of space into different rooms, traditional layouts often mean that some rooms are used often whilst others are rarely used. This is a waste of the space you have. With open living, different areas of your home connect to each other so you are more inclined to spend time in all areas of your home.It makes conversion of certain properties easier: A popular choice is to convert old warehouses or factories into living spaces. This kind of building often offers a lot of character as well as significant square footage. An open-floor layout makes conversion a lot easier and cost-effective.More sunlight: Open-plan living means more sunlight, as the entire space has access to windows on all sides of the property. Natural light is healthy and makes us feel more positive. Here’s a guide to see how this worksIt is practical: Many properties suffer from poor arrangement of rooms meaning inefficient use of space. This often means that the heart of the home, the kitchen, is small relative to other rooms. Combining a kitchen and dining area allows for a larger kitchen area. Here is a great kitchen-diner conceptIt connects people: Standard layouts mean people can be separated from each other even if they are in the same house. Open floor living means people can connect--somebody in the kitchen area can easily talk to somebody in the living room or dining area. It lends itself to entertaining: If you love to host dinner parties and get-togethers, an open-floor concept is ideal. It allows greater space and freedom for guests to move around the house, instead of being in different rooms.It’s good for kids: It allows children the space and freedom to run around and enjoy themselves. It also means that parents can keep an eye on them if they are cooking and the children are watching TV.Social media status: Are you unsure about open-plan living? If you are considering remodelling your home to an open-concept layout or thinking about buying an open-plan home, click here.We explain some of the benefits of this positive lifestyle change. It might be the perfect choice for you.

We are becoming increasingly environmentally conscious, and rightly so. But how do you incorporate eco-friendly ideas into your garden?When designing your garden, always look for ways to reduce water consumption and recycle materials. When buying materials, look for products from sustainable sources. Here are some tips to get you started:Reduce your lawn area: Grass uses up a huge amount of water. If you live in an area that is susceptible to droughts, consider how much strain gardens can place on the public water supply. Synthetic turf is a great way to combat this. It can look very natural as well as being very durable – it can last for many years. Needless to say, it requires no water and very little maintenance, making it an eco-friendly, hassle-free option.Get a compost bin: A compost bin is a great way to utilize what you normally throw away and put it to work in the garden. Make use of organic household waste by putting your fruit and vegetable scraps in the compost bin. These will degrade into useable material full of nutrients that you can use in your garden. It helps plants and flowers grow, with more nutrients than any soil that can be bought. Here’s how to create your own compost heap.Grow your own vegetables: A vegetable patch is a great way to grow your own organic and delicious food. Free from pesticides, these are a healthier option that reduces demand for mass farmed produce. Carrots, beans, zucchini and radishes are just a few to get started. Think about which plants grow well together. Here are some great tips for companion planting.Get your materials from sustainable sources: If you are buying timber for decks or to build any kind of structure, make sure that it is ethically sourced. Identify whether the timber is from forests where trees are replanted rather than forests that are exploited. Don’t be afraid to ask your supplier.Attract wildlife into your garden: It may be easier than you think to help wildlife. By creating a hospitable atmosphere, your garden can attract all sorts of animals, including birds, hedgehogs and bees. Plant a mixture of flowers and shrubs to attract (the right kind of) insects. Care for mature trees as they are a life giver to much wildlife. If water is not scarce, consider a water source like a pond.

Natural stone used in a variety of ways is a beautiful and simple ways to enhance your garden or outside space.

It is a great way to add a rustic and natural aesthetic to your property. It is used for paths, steps, patios and even fire pits. It can also be used to add an attractive feature using boulders and rocks, which enhance the look of flowers and shrubbery. Here are some tips:

Stonewalls – These are a great way to define a patio or seated area, giving the space a cozy and secluded feel, adding texture to the entire garden. A stonewall patio space can feel natural and rustic, yet also elegant. Different heights can be used depending on whether you want to add seating into the wall itself – this creates an intimate atmosphere. Here are some fantastic examples

Natural stone steps -These are a superb solution if your garden is on a slope. Natural steps can provide an accessible and inviting walkway throughout the garden, being both practical and an attractive feature in itself. If you have a mature garden, they can naturally blend in to their surroundings. Here are some inspiring ideas: http://www.houzz.com/natural-stone-stairs

Fire pits - If you love spending evenings outdoors watching the sunset with a glass of wine, a fire pit is a superb addition to your garden. The pit itself can be easily made, with surrounding seating being as rustic and simple or as elegant as your like. Summer nights can be spent with the kids, roasting s’mores, or it can make a romantic evening with your loved one. Use these as inspiration: http://www.houzz.com/natural-stone-fire-pit

Boulders and rocks - Large boulders can be used as features in themselves and work well surrounded by shrubbery and thick vegetation. They can also be used to make natural seating, which look great amongst dense foliage. Check this out for some ideas.

Natural stone paving for paths - Natural stone is great for pathways from the house leading into the patio or garden. They are very versatile and can be a great idea if all you have is a simple lawn. Natural paving works great with yards and is easy to install. Natural stone can be used for pathways that wind all the way through your garden. Here are some great examples: http://www.houzz.com/natural-stone-paver-ideas

It can be tempting to go it alone when designing your home. It may seem like all you need to do is look on the internet to order materials and find design ideas, but there are limitations.There are many advantages to using a showroom. It is important to get a clear idea of what you want based on seeing what works in a real-life setting. Many people see the internet as a shortcut to designing and refurbishing their home and are often left disappointed. Here are some of the benefits of going to a showroom:You can see what you are getting – Looking online is great to get design ideas for your home but you will never be able to appreciate how they will look in a real setting. Visiting showrooms will give you a feel for how design elements will really look.Expert advice – A showroom will have experts who can advise you on the best options for your home. Insights into color schemes, fabric and furniture can be very valuable. You may know what you like in terms of individual elements, but an expert can help bring them all together.Execution of design concept– If you are planning to redecorate yourself be aware that it is a serious challenge. Carpet and curtain fitting, wall papering and painting are skilled trades. If you do any of this yourself, be aware that results may be less than pleasing. A showroom can ensure that qualified professionals give you the finish you want.More accountability – When you work with a showroom, there is greater emphasis on customer service. They will work with you throughout the project to get the best for you. It also means that if something is not to your satisfaction, they can change it or make improvements. Ordering materials– If you are looking to do your own carpeting, curtains or wallpapering, you will need to find and order the materials. This means visiting a trade supplier and figuring out much material you need. You could end up ordering much more than you actually require. A showroom can take exact measurements and will lay out a fixed cost.There are many benefits to visiting a showroom but when you go, make sure you are prepared. Check this site for some useful tips.